Stan Smith, famed tennis player, discusses life lessons, the enduring legacy of Arthur Ashe, and his eponymous footwear.
Breezy Banter: The Legend of Stan Smith's Adidas Kicks
Simple footwear won him Wimbledon and a whole lot more. The man, the myth, the tennis star—Stan Smith, now 78, hails as the kingpin of tennis shoes, with his iconic Adidas kicks owning a space in the heart of every sneakerhead and fashion enthusiast.
"These sneakers have had a life of their own," says Smith, model and mentor. People from every walk of life have embraced them."
Not just a pretty face, Smith's sharp business acumen and tenacious gaming prowess propelled him to the forefront of the sports world. He and long-time business partner Gary Niebur recently released "Winning Trust: How to Create Moments that Matter," offering advice on developing strong client relationships, drawing from their experiences in sports and business.
"The book is all about developing relationships that can grow trust, which is seriously depreciating in this world," said Smith in a recent call, beaming from the French Open.
So, how does one build and maintain high-stakes relationships? Smith and Niebur break it down into five key elements they call SERVE: Strategize, Engage, Recreate, Volley, and Elevate. Basically, it's about caring less about transactions and more about the relationship itself.
"When people realize that you care about the relationship more than the transaction, trust follows," shared Niebur.
A former phenom at Pasadena High and USC, Smith shared a special bond with the late Arthur Ashe, the UCLA legend whose name adorns the main court at Flushing Meadows, N.Y., home of the U.S. Open.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Ashe's Wimbledon victory, when he took down Jimmy Connors in the final. Ashe remains the only Black man to win the singles title at that prestigious tournament.
"Arthur was a great friend," Smith gushed. "He had a massive impact, especially in his later years, when he was fighting AIDS and the heart fund, and, of course, for equal rights."
Ashe contracted HIV from a blood transfusion during heart-bypass surgery and passed away in 1993. Yet, Smith and Ashe forged a close bond during their globe-trotting Davis Cup and professional adventures.
"When we ventured to Africa, I was just this other guy playing against him in all these exhibitions," Smith confessed in a 2018 interview. "They would introduce him as Arthur Ashe, No. 1 player in the U.S., No. 1 in the world, one of the greatest players ever... and Stan Smith, his opponent."
Smith chuckled at the memory but admitted the constant top billing used to rub him the wrong way. But Ashe addressed the issue, saying, "I'm sorry about that. If we do a tour of Alabama, I'll carry your rackets for you."
Ashe was a quiet leader, effectively navigating the line between a traditionally white sport and the black community, Smith observed.
Smith plans to be at Wimbledon next month, where Ashe will be memorialized. As for his shoes, they've been everywhere since the '70s. Adidas originally mocked up the shoe for French player Robert Haillet in the mid-'60s, known then as the "Haillet."
In 1972, the company switched things up, naming the shoes after Smith, who gracefully accepted the honor. The shoes sport a stinky-mustached face on them, and they flew off shelves. In 1988, Stan Smiths earned a spot in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for the most pairs sold, at a whopping 22 million. Yet, that was only the beginning. Sales escalated with the release of the Stan Smith II and retro Stan Smith 80s. The most common ones were simple white, with just a smidge of green on the back.
"Hugh Grant flipped around in the royal box last year at Wimbledon and said, 'First girl I ever kissed, I was wearing your shoes,'" Smith recalled in 2022. "Another guy said he met this girl when he was wearing my shoes. It was incredibly meaningful that both wore the shoes for their wedding seven years later."
Smith's collection has grown exponentially, now holding over 100 size 13 pairs in every hue imaginable, including his favorite cardinal and black pair, a loving nod to his USC roots.
In 2022, Adidas paid tribute to Smith's Wimbledon victory by giving all sponsored players a pair of shoes with SW19 on the tongue—Wimbledon's postcode—with the date of that match against Ilie Nastase inside the right shoe and the score of the match inside the left.
Here's to more sneaker stories, love for the game, and unforgettable friendships. For Smith, Ashe was one such friendship, demonstrating the power of trust early in Smith's career.
And if you're curious, Smith's book is embellished with an authentic, fitting page marker—a shoelace.
Bonus Tidbits:
- Did You Know? The Stan Smith shoe lived its first life as the "Haillet," named after French player Robert Haillet, before Adidas switched things up in 1972 and named it after Smith.
- Why Does the Sneaker Still Matter? The minimalist design, cultural appeal, and iconic status of the Stan Smith have kept it relevant, making it a staple in both the sports and fashion worlds. From its origins in tennis to its current position as a fashion icon, the shoe continues to captivate fans and fashion enthusiasts.
- Stan Smith's iconic Adidas shoes, initially named the "Haillet," have transcended the sport of tennis and become a fashion statement, cherished by sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts alike.
- Smith and his business partner, Gary Niebur, have published a book titled "Winning Trust: How to Create Moments that Matter," offering insights on developing strong client relationships based on their experiences in sports and business.
- In the world of sports, Smith and UCLA legend Arthur Ashe shared a close bond, with Ashe making significant contributions to equal rights, the heart fund, and the black community.
- Despite being overshadowed at times during their professional career, Smith acknowledged the impact Ashe had on both his personal and professional life, crediting him for his growth and success.
- Adidas pays tribute to Smith's Wimbledon victory by providing sponsored players with special edition shoes bearing the SW19 postcode and details of the historic match against Ilie Nastase.
- From humble beginnings as a tennis shoe, the Stan Smiths have achieved considerable commercial success, earning a spot in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for the most pairs sold and expanding into various colorways, including Smith's favorite cardinal and black pair, a nod to his USC roots.
